Tanong Po-arn

Tanong Po-arn (; ) was a Thai labour union leader who disappeared following the 1991 Thai coup d'état by National Peace Keeping Council against the elected government.

Thai labour leader Tanong Po-arn was President of the Labour Congress of Thailand. He played an important role in negotiating with the government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan to secure the creation of a comprehensive national social security system.

He was also a Thai senator and the vice-president of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions - Asia Pacific Regional Organization (ICFTU-APRO).

The 1991 coup On 23 February 1991, the military National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC) staged the 1991 Thai coup d'état against the government, declared martial law, and abrogated the constitution. Soon after the coup, the NPKC abolished labour unions in state enterprises, leaving over 270,000 union members without trade union rights. The NPKC denied Tanong permission to attend the conference. Tanong reported that he was followed everywhere and received numerous anonymous death threats. He told his family: "If for three days I don't contact you, that means I have been arrested; if it's more than seven days, that means I have already died". It was hoped that Thaksin's decision would open up the possibility that more information could be found regarding Tanong's fate. His whereabouts remain unknown and he is feared dead. During May Day celebrations, rallying workers can sometimes be seen wearing shirts with Tanong's image.